Ill. agency warns seniors about scam to get cash

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department on Aging is warning seniors about a recent scam that fooled two elderly women.

A man who claimed to work at the victims' bank called and told them he believed a bank employee was stealing from their accounts. The man asked for their help to catch the thief, persuading them to withdraw cash and meet him. Springfield police say the man got away with almost $7,000.

Department on Aging Director John Holton says a good rule of thumb is to never give personal information to anyone who calls or sends email, including bank information.

The department trains staff at Illinois banks and credit unions to identify and report suspicious circumstances. Several scams have been uncovered and prevented since the training became a state regulatory requirement in 2011.